The Edge of Worlds

An expedition of groundlings from the Empire of Kish have traveled through the Three Worlds to the Indigo Cloud court of the Raksura, shape-shifting creatures of flight that live in large family groups. The groundlings have found a sealed ancient city at the edge of the shallow seas, near the deeps of the impassable Ocean. They believe it to be the last home of their ancestors and ask for help getting inside.

The Obelisk Gate: The Broken Earth, Book 2

This is the way the world ends, for the last time. The season of endings grows darker, as civilization fades into the long cold night. Essun - once Damaya, once Syenite, now avenger - has found shelter, but not her daughter. Instead there is Alabaster Tenring, destroyer of the world, with a request. But if Essun does what he asks, it would seal the fate of the Stillness forever. Far away, her daughter Nassun is growing in power - and her choices will break the world.

The Goblin Emperor

The youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three sons in line for the throne are killed in an "accident," he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir. Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the sure knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any moment.

Den of Wolves: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 3

Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life.

Wheel of the Infinite

Every year in the great Temple City of Duvalpore, the image of the Wheel of the Infinite must be painstakingly remade to ensure another year of peace and harmony for the Celestial Empire. Every hundred years the sacred rite takes on added significance. For it is then that the very fabric of the world must be rewoven. Linked by the mystic energies of the Infinite, the Wheel and world are one. Should the holy image be marred, the world will suffer a similar injury. But a black storm is spreading across the Wheel.

Child of the Daystar

Among the scattered fringe cities bordering the Cienbal desert, the true name of the Monster of Karth is spoken only in whispers...RAZ I'SYUL ARRO. A sellsword of the utmost caliber, Raz is a killer of paramount skill and highest regard. Towering tall even amongst the atherian, he is the only of his kind to live free in the "civilized" confines of mankind's varied cultures. He has no need of loyalties, his sole affections pledged to the gold crowns that buy his time and skills.

Ghost Talkers

Ginger Stuyvesant, an American heiress living in London during World War I, is engaged to Captain Benjamin Hartshorne, an intelligence officer. Ginger is a medium for the Spirit Corps, a special Spiritualist force. Each soldier heading for the front is conditioned to report to the mediums of the Spirit Corps when they die so the corps can pass instant information about troop movements to military intelligence. Ginger and her fellow mediums contribute a great deal to the war efforts, so long as they pass the information through appropriate channels.

Eidolon: Wraith Kings, Book 2

In a bid for more power, the Shadow Queen of Haradis unleashes a malignant force into the world. Her son Brishen, younger prince of the Kai royal house, suddenly finds himself ruler of a kingdom blighted by a diseased darkness. His human wife Ildiko must decide if she will give up the man she loves in order to save his throne. Three kingdoms on the verge of war must unite to save each other, and a one-eyed, reluctant king will raise an army of the dead to challenge an army of the damned. A tale of alliance and sacrifice.

The Curse of Chalion

Amidst the decaying splendor and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient capital, Cazaril is forced to confront not only powerful enemies but also the malignant curse that clings to the royal household, trapping him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.

Black Coven: Daniel Black, Book 2

Surviving Ragnarok is a challenge no matter what powers you have, and new problems keep cropping up. Demanding witches, genocidal monsters, divine feuds, and local politics will all keep Daniel on his toes. But his enemies have made one crucial mistake. They've given an engineer who understands the nature of magic time to build things.

City of Bones

Khat, a member of a humanoid race created by the Ancients to survive in the Waste, and Sagai, his human partner, are relic dealers working on the edge of society, trying to stay one step ahead of the Trade Inspectors and to support Sagai's family. When Khat is hired to find relics believed to be part of one of the Ancients' arcane engines, they are both reluctant to become involved. But the request comes from the Warders, powerful mages who serve Charisat's Elector.

Koban: Conflict and Empire

The Galactic Federation is confronted by the vast and implacable Thandol Empire, which has coveted the former Krall region of space for eons, a region of space now occupied and claimed by the upstart Kobani. Outnumbered, they face an opponent who possesses new and deadly weapons. An enemy that had thousands of years to develop the means to take on the Krall Empire, and now present the supermen with a weapon that turns their greatest genetic asset into their greatest weakness.

The Element of Fire: Ile-Rien Series, Book 1

The kingdom of Ile-Rien lies in peril, menaced by sorcerous threats and devious court intrigues. As the weak King Roland, flattered and misled by treacherous companions, rules the country, only his ruthless mother, the Dowager Queen Ravenna, guards the safety of the realm. But now rumors arise that Urbain Grandier, the dark master of scientific sorcery, has arrived to plot against the throne. And Kade, bastard sister of King Roland, appears unexpectedly at court. The illegitimate daughter of the old king and the Queen of Air and Darkness herself, Kade's true desires are cloaked in mystery.

The Summer Dragon: First Book of The Evertide

Maia and her family raise dragons for the political war machine. As she comes of age, she anticipates a dragon of her own to add to the stable of breeding parents. Her peaceful life is shattered when the Summer Dragon - one of the rare and mythical High Dragons - makes an appearance in her quiet valley. Political factions vie for control of the implied message, threatening her aspirations, her aerie, her entire way of life.

The Secret of the Dark Forest: Way of the Shaman Series, Book 3

The virtual world of Barliona is a place of rest and entertainment - but not for everyone. It has become a survival arena for Daniel Mahan after he was sentenced to eight years in its virtual jail. Mahan has been through it all: the back-breaking work in the mines, betrayal by other prisoners, and finally, the retrial which has released him into Barliona's common world. What more could one want? Mahan could have kept a low profile and enjoyed relative freedom while serving the rest of his time.

Infiltration: Kid Sensation, Book 3

Having a surfeit of super powers is great for battling bad guys and saving the world, as Jim (aka Kid Sensation) is finding out, but less useful in dealing with day-to-day situations - like bonding with his superhero father, adjusting to a team environment, and coping with what might be perceived as a growing rivalry between himself and another teen super. On top of all that, despite having a serious girlfriend, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to a new female super he's just met.

No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished: Heartstrikers, Book 3

When Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan, he thought he was doing right by everyone. But sharing power isn't part of any proper dragon's vocabulary, and with one seat still open on the new ruling council, all of Heartstriker is ready to do whatever it takes to get their claws on it, including killing the Nice Dragon who got them into this mess in the first place.

Immortal: Curse of the Deathless

Asher Hearst is a college student, and the closest thing he has to a superpower is being able to take a punch. Basically all he has going for him is an edgy sense of humor - and that he can't die. As a small-time fixer, he's about to get involved in a job best left alone. After he gets involved with witches and the supernatural, there's no turning back.

Extermination: Daniel Black, Book 3

Gaea's favored children have put her ancient plan to cleanse the Earth of humans into motion, and Kozalin stands high on their list of targets. Uncertain alliances, scheming gods, and an implacable foe will push Daniel to his limits. How far will the wizard from Earth go to protect his family?

Mutation: Kid Sensation, Book 2

Having saved the planet and earned a place with the world's premiere superhero team, Jim (aka Kid Sensation) is preparing to attend the prestigious Academy, where teen supers from every corner of the globe learn to master their abilities. At the same time, however, he is approached by a mysterious government organization that wants Jim to work for them - and they won't take "No" for an answer. Moreover, at the Academy itself, an insidious and highly contagious virus is running amok.

The Wizard Hunters: Fall of Ile-Rien, Book 1

Ile-Rien is in peril. A mysterious army known only as the Gardier has surrounded the country, attacking in ominous black airships. Hope is not lost though, for a magical sphere created by Ile-Rien's greatest sorcerer may hold the key to defeating the faceless enemy. But the sphere is unpredictable and has already claimed several lives. When a magical spell goes disastrously awry, young Tremaine Valiarde and a brave band are transported to another world-a world of rough magics, evil mages, honorable warriors, and a secret Gardier base.

Eye of the Moonrat: The Bowl of Souls, Book 1

Justan was raised on the outskirts of the Dremaldrian Battle Academy. He watched his father ascend the ranks within the academy to become one of the most respected warriors in the kingdom. The only thing he has ever wanted is to become an academy student and follow the path of his father. Unfortunately, only the best can enter the academy and Justan is a horrible fighter. Everyone tells him that he is more suited to scholarly work than swordplay.

Fimbulwinter: Daniel Black, Book 1

Summoned to a world in the midst of apocalypse, Daniel Black would have his hands full just staying alive. Add in refugees, desperate soldiers, scheming nobles and a pair of thoroughly wicked witches, and life is going to be very busy indeed. Good thing he has magic of his own to even the scales. But will even that be enough?

Reign of Madness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 2

Equipped with skills far beyond those of the outworlders, Rezkin has been suddenly thrust into a foreign world. The young warrior clings to his only known purpose as he continues his search for any information about his identity and the reason for his existence. While the hardened warrior scorns both dueling and tournaments, he believes some of the answers he seeks may be found at the King's Tournament, the greatest dueling championship in all of the kingdoms.

Publisher's Summary

Moon has spent his life hiding what he is - a shape-shifter able to transform himself into a winged creature of flight. An orphan with only vague memories of his own kind, Moon tries to fit in among the tribes of his river valley, with mixed success. Just as Moon is once again cast out by his adopted tribe, he discovers a shape-shifter like himself... someone who seems to know exactly what he is, who promises that Moon will be welcomed into his community.

What this stranger doesn't tell Moon is that his presence will tip the balance of power... that his extraordinary lineage is crucial to the colony's survival... and that his people face extinction at the hands of the dreaded Fell! Now Moon must overcome a lifetime of conditioning in order to save himself - and his newfound kin.

What the Critics Say

"Martha Wells' books always make me remember why I love to read. In The Cloud Roads, she invents yet another rich and astonishingly detailed setting, where many races and cultures uneasily co-exist in a world constantly threatened by soulless predators. But the vivid world-building and nonstop action really serve as a backdrop for the heart of the novel - the universal human themes of loneliness, loss, and the powerful drive to find somewhere to belong." (Sharon Shinn)

"Wells merrily ignores genre conventions as she spins an exciting adventure around an alien hero who anyone can identify with." (Publishers Weekly)

"Wells... has created a new world of dragonlike shapeshifters and human tribes that could serve as the background for future novels in this exotic setting. Concise storytelling and believable characters make this a good addition to most fantasy collections." (Library Journal)

There is a lot to like in this opening book in a trilogy, but a few troublesome weaknesses bothered me enough so that I probably will not go on to the second book.

The great strength of the book is the originality of its cast of races and characters. Wells has done a wonderful job of creating a world which feels fresh in this regard and makes us curious. She reveals it effectively with description which is richly evocative but never excessive or showy. As a result, the book is a nice journey of discovery--always a pleasure for a fantasy fan. Even the central conflict of the book is inventive and surprising, and the plot evolves in unexpected directions at several points. She also manages to give us an ending which is both satisfying and a good foundation for further development in the second book.

Given all of that, I still had trouble losing myself in the book. I found the interplay between the characters predictable and repetitive even when the grand sweep of the story was not, and they seldom surprised me in any way. I also found myself confused by the array of minor characters with interchangeable, one syllable names who were never developed quite enough to stick vividly in the mind. In addition, while the author's handling of crisis and action were excellent, the story lagged a good deal in several places and I found myself murmuring, "Get on with it, already."

Finally, and here it would seem I am a rare exception, I was not delighted by Chris Kipiniak's reading. His voice is rich and quite beautiful, and he worked hard to delineate character voices clearly, but I found his women a little squeaky or raspy and hard to listen to or believe.

This is a very near miss for me, but I have a long list of wonderful books waiting, and this one did not quite make the cut. I am clearly in the minority, and I think you probably would not find it was a waste of your credit to try it and decide for yourself.

My first exposure to this world and Martha Wells came through Audible audio books.

I cannot rave enough about the outstanding job Chris Kipiniak did with the narration. His range of character voices made it so easy to follow the dialogues between several characters. Of course, as talented as Chris is, he still needs a good story to read to us.

The Raksura stories by Martha Wells (The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea) are wonderful. The world she created and the characters therein are beautifully crafted and detailed to make it easy to visualize each scene, no matter how outlandish they may seem (I mean, come on, a city built on the back of a giant sea creature?). But it all seemed plausible, and was definitely entertaining. Good character development, and the relationships developing between Moon and the other characters, and between the other characters with each other were deftly handled. Not too much to be boring, but enough to give us an idea, and a satisfaction, that they would all become the people we hoped they would be. Martha's sense of humor is terrific, too ("Moon had been Jade's consort for 11 days now, and so far no one had tried to kill him. He thought it was going well.")

I may have to buy these two books for my Kindle reader so I can revisit these stories, and parts thereof whenever I want.

This book is an interesting read - it doesn't rise to the greats (The Wheel of Time, A song of Ice and fire, etc) but it is engaging. It kept my interest and at the end, I wanted to know what happened next. It makes me wonder if this is a stand alone book or part of a series.

What did you like best about this story?

This story gave me an opportunity to imagine how it would be if men had wings and could fly. It gave me a good opportunity to share in the character's delight in flight, and to imagine myself out there in the sky - flying freely.

Any additional comments?

If you are like me and are constantly seaching for good epic fantasies and have already read all the greats (see above) and are looking for new series, you might like The Stormlight Archives: The way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, The King Killer Chronicles: The name of the wind (#1), The Wise Man's Fear (#2) by Patrick Rothfuss, Old Man's War by John Scalzi - I really loved the light-hearted and extremely entertaining nature of this book - you may like it. I recently read a series by Elizabeth Moon that I truly enjoyed - the first book in the series was Trading in Danger, then Marque and Reprisal - and so forth.

For a long time, I would see L.E. Modesitt Jr's book: Imager on Audible and ignore it. I even read the reviews and was not very impressed. When I ran out of books that immediately grabbed my attention, I decided to give it a try - although it started out dry, I did not regret reading it at all. In fact, the story was continued recently in an interesting way - L.E. decided to go back a few hundred years to tell the origins of what is written in the series. It was very interesting. There are a lot more books that I have to share, but hopefully the above will keep you occupied for a while.

Now, although I enjoyed the above books to one degree or another, please note that everything truly isn't for everyone. Please read other reviewer's comments on the above books if you decide to try them. If there are any good series you have read, please pass them along. Thank you.

This book is an interesting read - it doesn't rise to the greats (The Wheel of Time, A song of Ice and fire, etc) but it is engaging. It kept my interest and at the end, I wanted to know what happened next. It makes me wonder if this is a stand alone book or part of a series.

What did you like best about this story?

This story gave me an opportunity to imagine how it would be if men had wings and could fly. It gave me a good opportunity to share in the character's delight in flight, and to imagine myself out there in the sky - flying freely.

Any additional comments?

If you are like me and are constantly seaching for good epic fantasies and have already read all the greats (see above) and are looking for new series, you might like The Stormlight Archives: The way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, The King Killer Chronicles: The name of the wind (#1), The Wise Man's Fear (#2) by Patrick Rothfuss, Old Man's War by John Scalzi - I really loved the light-hearted and extremely entertaining nature of this book - you may like it. I recently read a series by Elizabeth Moon that I truly enjoyed - the first book in the series was Trading in Danger, then Marque and Reprisal - and so forth.

For a long time, I would see L.E. Modesitt Jr's book: Imager on Audible and ignore it. I even read the reviews and was not very impressed. When I ran out of books that immediately grabbed my attention, I decided to give it a try - although it started out dry, I did not regret reading it at all. In fact, the story was continued recently in an interesting way - L.E. decided to go back a few hundred years to tell the origins of what is written in the series. It was very interesting. There are a lot more books that I have to share, but hopefully the above will keep you occupied for a while.

Now, although I enjoyed the above books to one degree or another, please note that everything truly isn't for everyone. Please read other reviewer's comments on the above books if you decide to try them. If there are any good series you have read, please pass them along. Thank you.

I would and have recommended this book to a friend, I could do nothing less. I was so excited when I began this book, and it just got more and more exciting as I read it through to the end. Being blind, I was so grateful for the dynamic descriptions all through the book, I could almost see the characters myself, which is not often so in other books. I could also feel the thrill of stretching my wings and flying over a completely new world. I am now searching for other audio books by Martha Wells, to see if this lovely feeling goes on in her other books.

What other book might you compare The Cloud Roads to and why?

I can honestly say that The Cloud Roads, is like no other book I have read and I read a lot of books. It seems unique in it's story line, and it keeps you caught up in the story until sadly the end sneaks up on you.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Kipiniak’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I am sorry to say I have not heard Christopher Kipiniak in a book before, but I shall sure be looking for his name from now on. He brings this book to life for me, I can imagine he will do the same in another book as well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Have you ever wanted to fly using your own wings? This is as close as you will ever get.

Any additional comments?

I have just gotten the next book in this series, and I can hardly wait to see if it keeps me as enthralled as this one did.

The three worlds of The Cloud Roads, Air, Earth and Sea are some of the most original in recent fantasy fiction.

Moon, is a shape shiftier who was orphaned early and separated from his own species lives among "groundling" tribes... until they discover his secret and kick him out.

Moon's struggle to come to terms with his past and future, along with the three worlds he inhabits is well written and engrossing, holding the listeners attention and leaving them waiting impatiently for the sequel.

What can I say? The main character can fly! The descriptions spark your imagination, but aren't overly wordy. Great for a weekend road trip. :)

What did you like best about this story?

The thought that went into the creatures/culture at the heart of the story, and how down to earth most of them are. The descriptions of the world and its various regions/inhabitants are great too. Floating islands, flying boats, giant predators...lots of fun things.

Which character – as performed by Christopher Kipiniak – was your favorite?

I loved Stone, Chime, Flower and Celis.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, but no spoilers from me - sorry!

Any additional comments?

Will definitely be looking into other books by this author in the future.

I have enjoyed listening to this audio book, the creatures are very interesting and unique, I have never come across this type before. A welcome change to the urban fantasy so popular these days. The reader is alright, though his female voices are a bit funny to listen too. He seems to use the same type of voice when the character is described to be of small stature, but not off putting to the enjoyment of the storyline. I will continue with the series.